United’s pursuit of Fernandes is a clear show of faith in director of football Jason Wilcox. Wilcox has a long history with the midfielder, having tracked his progress during his time leading the recruitment department at Southampton. It was Wilcox who oversaw the player’s development before his own move to Old Trafford in April 2024.
The history between the clubs adds another layer to the story; if the transfer is completed, Fernandes would become the first player sold by West Ham to United since Paul Ince made the controversial switch in 1989. While United were previously linked with Declan Rice, they never submitted a formal bid before he joined Arsenal for £105m in 2023.
